ktec

Historic NES Tetris Achievement by Michael Artiaga

Michael Artiaga, known as '@dogplayingtris', has recently achieved a monumental feat in the world of NES Tetris. He completed what is known as the 'Tetris Rebirth'—reaching level 255 and causing the game to loop back to level 0 without AI assistance—a task long thought impossible due to instability at high levels.

• Key Techniques: Artiaga used advanced techniques such as 'hypertapping' and 'rolling', which allowed him to manage the game's high speeds effectively. These skills showcase exceptional control and mastery over the NES Tetris mechanics.

• Community Impact: This victory has been celebrated widely within the Tetris community, marking a new milestone in competitive play and highlighting evolving skill levels among gamers.

• Historical Context: Previously, when reaching high levels, players often encountered a 'kill screen' where the game became unplayable due to speed. Artiaga’s achievement challenges traditional notions about the capabilities of NES Tetris enthusiasts.

Which level have you got to in Tetris?

Discover The Origins of Final Fantasy with This New NHK Documentary

NHK, the Japanese public broadcaster, is set to release a documentary series entitled 'Legendary Games Chronicle' focusing on iconic Japanese game series. The first episode will explore the creation of Final Fantasy, originally created in 1987.

Key Details:

• Date: October 11th
• Platform: Cable TV, Internet, NHK World Japan app

The episode will feature insights from the series creator, Hironobu Sakaguchi; battle graphics designer, Koichi Ishii; artist, Yoshitaka Amano; composer, Nobuo Uematsu; and sprite artist, Kazuko Shibuya. It covers the making of Final Fantasy, the anguish behind its creation, initial reactions to its success, and showcases rare materials used in production.

So, if you’ve always been curious about how one of the most influential RPGs ever made came into existence, this documentary offers an intriguing glimpse into its origins.

Will you be tuning in?

An Undocumented Famicom Disk System Game Has Just Been Discovered

Could this disk contain a missing piece of Nintendo history?

Junkya.Hassy, a retro gamer and console repair person in Japan, recently discovered two Famicom Disk System disks that were being disposed of by a metal buying company in Kyoto. Upon examination, the disks contained some rare and unusual materials, including what appears to be a dev build of Eggerland for Hal Laboratory bug fixing, as well as an undocumented game titled Maze Ver. T2.0.

Key Facts:

• The discovery is sparking excitement in the gaming community, with many believing it could be a missing piece of Nintendo history.
• The disks were rewritable and not officially released, so their origin remains uncertain.
• A friend has been loaned the disk to analyze its contents further.

What do you think the significance of this discovery could be for the Famicom Disk System and Nintendo's history?

SNK's Take on a Revived Capcom vs. SNK

Current Status

There has been a noticeable resurgence in the world of fighting games, particularly those from SNK and Capcom. This includes appearances of SNK characters like Terry Bogard in various crossover game series such as Street Fighter 6 and upcoming titles like Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves, which has intensified fan demand for a new installment in the classic fighting game series, Capcom vs. SNK.

The Official Take

During an interview at the Tokyo Game Show, SNK producers Yasuyuki Oda and Joshua Weatherford were asked about the possibility of another Capcom vs. SNK. Here's what they had to say:

• Oda:

We're very aware that the worldwide fighting game community keeps saying, "Please make a new Capcom vs. SNK", right... We're very aware of this, haha!

To be perfectly honest, the hurdle for doing something like that is quite high, but we're always in communication with the development teams at Capcom and we're on very good terms, so I don't think it's impossible.

• Weatherford:

It might be a long path to get there, but we're steadily moving forward. For me personally, what I'd like to do next is bring Capcom vs. SNK back. Kind of like Super Smash Bros.

I know that Oda-san isn't a fan of this idea, but Ryu is in Fortnite, right? Let Terry shoot a gun too, and revive Capcom vs. SNK there! Fall Guys has Terry and Mai so, if they can bring Ryu and Chun-Li there, we could bring Capcom vs. SNK back to life in a lot of different areas!

What do you think about the possibility of a new Capcom vs. SNK game? Do you believe the hurdles can be overcome, or would it be wiser to pursue more crossovers and integrations into other games?

Hotel Mario: A Fan-Made Upgrade of One of the Worst Mario Games

Hotel Mario is known for its simplistic mechanics and infamous cutscenes. Originally released in 1994 for the Philips CD-i, it was often listed among Nintendo's least successful titles due to its awkward gameplay and poorly received FMV sequences.

Background on Hotel Mario

• Original Reception: The game initially received mixed reviews. Its soundtrack and novel concept of closing doors to defeat enemies were praised, while controls, art style, and cutscenes faced criticism.
• Cult Following: Despite negative feedback, the game has gained a cult following over the years, known for its "so bad it's good" reputation.

Fan-Made Upgrade

Developers have launched a fan-made project to address these issues by enhancing graphics and refining controls. This initiative seeks to create an improved version of Hotel Mario that retains its quirky charm while offering a more polished experience.

Are you in the "so bad it's good" camp when it comes to Hotel Mario?

Release Date: October 15, 2024

Wizardry Variants Daphne is set to launch on iOS and Android devices. Developed by Studio 2PRO and published by Drecom, it will also be available in both Japanese and English with a PC version planned for Steam at a later date.

Key Features:

• Japanese and English
• Mobile-friendly controls designed for one-handed play
• 3D first-person dungeon exploration, reminiscent of the Wizardry series
• Customizable allies from various classes and races
• Challenging gameplay with a high difficulty level, featuring complex traps and enemies
• Character designs by Yusuke Kozaki, boss monsters by Katsuya Terada, soundtracks by Hitoshi Sakimoto

The game is set in the Abyss, where players must explore dungeons to uncover the cause of the curse that resurfaces every 100 years after the disappearance of the king who usually seals it.

What other mobile RPGs stay true to classic series elements?

Blindfolded Speedrunner Completes Mario 64 In Under 20 Minutes

Blindfolded speedrunner Bubzia has just completed Super Mario 64 (SM64) in under 20 minutes. This feat is stunning given that he couldn't see the screen at all during the run.

Key Points:

• Time: Under 20 minutes, breaking the previous world record by over 40 seconds.
• Persistence: Bubzia spent 118 days of practice runs to achieve this.
• Community Impact: The runner credits the supportive community for pushing him through challenges.

Quotation:

"After 10 Months of restless grinding, 118 days / streams of practice, runs, and more, the most ambitious goal in blindfolded SM64 has finally been broken," says Bubzia.

Could you complete Super Mario 64 in 20 minutes without a blindfold?

Bleem.net Returns

In a surprising turn of events, Bleem has resurrected not as an emulator but as a publisher of retro games and digital content. Eli Galindo, founder of Piko Interactive, acquired the Bleem name in 2018.

This new iteration of Bleem focuses on Bleem.net, described as a “nostalgia portal” that offers ROMs, physical releases, and more. They are also working to publish games like Rage of the Dragons for modern systems.

Key Points

• Original Bleem was known for emulating PlayStation games on PCs in the late 1990s and had legal battles with Sony.
• The company closed in 2001 due to high legal costs but has now shifted gears into publishing and digital distribution.

What Does This Mean for Retro Gaming?

With the rise of nostalgia platforms like Bleem.net, it’s clear there's a growing interest in reliving classic gaming experiences. However, this also raises questions about the future of emulation and the legality surrounding these practices.

In your opinion, will Bleem.net's resurgence help breathe new life into retro gaming or exacerbate existing legal issues?

Key Points:

• Jason Durkee, an American businessman living in Japan, was identified as the last live-action actor from the original Resident Evil game.
• He played Joseph Frost, a bandana-wearing firearms specialist who gets attacked by dogs in the game's intro sequence.
• The realization of this identification completes the identification of all actors involved in the FMV sequences of the original game.

Do you know of any other games that have had similar attempts to identify all its actors?

The launch trailer for the Silent Hill 2 remake has been released, offering a chilling glimpse into the reimagined world of this classic psychological horror game. Developed by Bloober Team in collaboration with Konami, the trailer revisits the haunting story of James Sunderland as he searches for his deceased wife Mary in the eerie town of Silent Hill.

• Game Overview: The remake emphasizes James's emotional journey after receiving a letter from his late wife, exploring themes of love, loss, and psychological pain. Iconic characters like Pyramid Head add to the horror experience, now enhanced with improved graphics and atmosphere, making it more engaging than ever before.

• Release Date: Silent Hill 2 will launch on October 8, 2024, for PlayStation 5 and PC via Steam, blending nostalgia with modern touches and sparking renewed interest in this classic horror game.

Check out the trailer on YouTube.

Does the trailer make you excited for the full game?

This week, Hamster Corporation has announced the release of one more classic title as part of its Arcade Archives series. Nichibutsu's Moon Shuttle is set to hit the PS4 and Nintendo Switch eShop in Japan on October 3rd.

• Release Date: October 3rd
• Platforms: PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch (Japan)
• Expected Release in Western Regions: Soon after the Japanese launch

Moon Shuttle, released by Nichibutsu in 1981, is a space shooter that involves navigating your small rocket through asteroid fields and defeating enemies. The game allows for either single or two-player play, though not simultaneously.

For a more detailed look at the gameplay, check out the trailer below!

Is Moon Shuttle enough to pique your interest in the Arcade Archives series?

Two New Game Boy Advance Games Are Coming To Nintendo Switch Online

Two new GBA games are heading to the Nintendo Switch Online on October 11th. F-Zero GP Legend and F-Zero Climax, the latter previously only released in Japan, will now be available to players worldwide through the service.

Key points:

• F-Zero GP Legend (2003)
• F-Zero Climax (2004)
• Only F-Zero GP Legend ever released outside of Japan on previous platforms

Do the recent Nintendo controversies make you more or less likely to check out these titles?